THE new river fishing season for fishing rivers opened yesterday and coach Danny Williamson is hoping to attract a new wave of youngsters to the sport.

There is no closed season for fishing still waters and canals but the season for fishing flowing waterways runs from June 16 to March 14.

Williamson, of Devizes Angling Association,is looking forward to a busy summer on the banks.

The experienced angler, who is the senior coach for the National Federation of Anglers and the South West and South Wales region, is organising a string of competitions and open day throughout the season.

"We are running courses through Devizes AA and also through Kennet Leisure Services," he said.

"We've got quite a full programme of events will 11 summer competitions locally.

"The National Team of Four Championships will be held at the Crookwood Lake in July and the Gazette Cup is on June 26.

"There are also a number of open days that we will be holding to promote interest in the sport. We are also starting a class on Fridays teaching the rudiments of angling such as hook tying and the setting up of rods.

Williamson said he believed angling was a perfect pastime for youngsters.

"It is a fantastic thing to do," he added.

"You are out in the countryside with nature and it is so relaxing. It is really nice to be out in the fresh air and watch the world go by.

"I think kids are starting to move away from computer games and want something more to do. There is nothing better than fishing."

Williamson's junior lessons on Tuesday nights started up again last week and he has so far had a total of 72 children turn up for the two sessions.

For more information contact Danny Williamson on (01380) 860479 or log onto the website www.devizesaa.org.uk

There has been some wonderful roach fishing at Ivy House lakes in the warm weather and one of the local experts at the water Gary Etheridge has been sharing his expertise at roach fishing.

He has recorded three wins in a week taking a cracking silver fish bag of 47-8-0 to win the Wednesday Open at the venue. He followed it with a win in the Friday Open with 38-2-0 and then headed a class field in the Tuesday night league with 34-8-0 from peg 37.

Other weights in the league match was Ray Russell 32-8-0 (peg 21) 3rd Gary Laidler 27-10-0 (peg 13); 4th Shaun Matthews (peg 39) 23-8-0 and 5th Simon Collins (peg 24) 19lb.

Teams of the night: 1, Swindon Angling Centre 27pts; 2nd Ivy House Red 32pts; 3, Team Deadwood 34pts.

After four rounds: Swindon Angling Centre lead on 141pts ahead of Ivy House Reds 149pts and third team Deadwood 1791/2pts.

Pete Sole had it all his own way at Ridgeway Fishery in the Wednesday Club match where he weighed in 52lb ahead of John Sainsbury 39-10-0 and Derek Hillier was third with 39-8-0.

The BCA match on the New Canal at Ivy House was won by Cliff Brown with 13-15-0 ahead of Vince Harvey 6-9-0, Graham Smith 4-12-0 and fourth Paul Wallis.

In the Junior Inter Club match at Peatmoor the home side weighed in 27lb 8oz and Liden weighed in 12lb 8oz. Top individual was Glen Picton of Peatmoor with 5lb 1oz. Runner up with 5lb 0.5oz was Kevin Covey of Liden and in third place with 4lb 14.5oz was John Gaylards of Peatmoor. Gareth Jackson of Peatmoor was fourth with 3lb 6.5oz.

Top weight for Sunday's Ridgeway Fishery open match was 64lb 13oz from, yet again, Pete Townsend who really has got this venue all sewn up. These are all small fish averaging about 4oz, so in a five hour match that's about 260 fish.

Second was John Magoo with 47lb 4oz and third with 42lb 4oz was John Williams.

Wootton Bassett AC results: Inter Club competition at High Penn: WBAC 18pts after two matches 50pts; SCAC 13pts after two matches 56pts; Abbey AC 11pts after two matches 46pts.

Individuals on the day: 1, J Marchant (SCAC) 14-0-0; 2, S Jones (SCAC) 8-8-0; 3, S Trimby (WBAC) 8-7-0.

Ivy House Lakes match results.

Wed June 9: 1, Gary Etheridge (17) 47-8-0 (all silver); 2, Simon Jones (19) 26-4-0; 3, Laurie Laing (12) 25-9-0.

Friday Veterans large lake: 1, Sid Webb (13) 27-4-0; 2, Derek Hillier (3) 16-8-0; 3, Mike Smith (18) 15-0-0.

Friday evening: 1, Gary Etheridge 921) 38-2-0 (all silver fish); 2, Julian Heaven (13) 27-8-0; 3, Gary Laidler (23) 21-7-0.

Saturday: 1, Allan Smith (8) 57-14-0; 2, Julian Heaven (23) 46-11-0; 3, Shaun Mathews (15) 32-6-0; 4, Laurie Laing (45) 29-4-0.